Please sign the petition!

 

I'm not even a owner and I signed. But hopefully I'll be one in the near future. Been driving around for 6 years in a Miata. The ride quality in a MINI couldn't possibly be worse right?

 

i signed it :smile:

 

number 89 ! my how fast to grows

 

160 something.

 

#171

 

Yup, I signed it. # 150-something..

I also wrote MINI USA the following letter:

"I just heard about MINI USA's plans to "soften" the MINI's suspension in the U.S. I AM ANGERED AND APPALLED.
I own a 2003 Cooper S, and purchased the car because of it's handling characteristics, which MINI USA now plans to ruin. Of all the problems that should be addressed with this car, (coolant leak, defective leather, rattles, cracking windshields) MINI USA now plans to make the one change which will actually make the car WORSE.
I am currently on a waiting list for a second Cooper S which I was anxious to purchase until this morning when I heard the bad news. I will be cancelling my order as I have no interest in owning a tiny family cruiser instead of the tight handling sport car I was expecting to buy.
There are currently over 250 angry signatures on a petition at a MINI web forum from owners and enthusiasts who are extremely disappointed at MINI USA's decision to effectively destroy this car's most appealing attribute,...it's handling.
If MINI USA wants to screw up this car, at least make the mushy suspension an OPTION, not a standard feature.
MINIs are purchased mainly by ENTHUSIASTS who love the feel of the car. My guess is MINI will now lose a lot of business from their main customer demografic.
BAD MOVE, MINI USA, BAD MOVE."

 

I was # 67 and Called MINI USA yesterday and was very nice but voiced my concern....

 

I signed it as well although I have mixed feelings about it. I think the change should wait until 2004 unless there's a solid mechanical concern affecting future repairs. In which case, they should issue a recall.

I drive a Miata so I consider any ride I receive from my S to be an improvement. That said, if they have found a way to improve the ride without hurting the handling then it's a good change, but why the urgency without giving people a chance to decide whether or not they like it.

The harsh ride was no secret to anyone who read any reviews of the car or drove one. The one recurrent complaint about the MINI was that the ride was too harsh. It sounds like the move was one of future marketablity. Possibly the initial well of diehards has run out and they need to expand to a broader audience.

Still they should keep the ride they have in some form. Miata created an RS version with Bilstein shocks and limited options for "racers." Mini should consider doing the so. Part of the car's charm is the degre to which you can customize it from the company, they should at least give people the right to select a kidney busting ride if they desire.

Tom

 

Tom,
Completely agree with your thoughts. Although, the change definitely is not about mechanical concerns, otherwise it would have been implemented internationally.

Regards

 

For the sake of clarity and registering the true level of dissatisfaction, we are going to try to keep this discussion focused to the the orginal thread